the Subpoena Blues

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2004

I dislike broad generalizations...not all attorneys are terrible and for those who've posted on the BB about various issues that involved the BON and the like, most others immediately posted to obtain the services of an RN-JD. Attorneys have an important role as an advocate just as nurses do. Forgetting to attend court isn't a laughing matter- my husband prosecutes criminal child sexual assault cases and routinely supoenas medical personnel to testify. Not attending may mean the difference between a guilty vs. not guilty jury verdict so it should be a seriously taken responsibility.

I understand your point

But calling me to testify about a Blood alcohol from a lil over 2 yrs ago is ridiculous.

Your right not all shysters are bad

deep down they are all good

6 feet down

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2004

All of you are entitled to your opinions...however, most attorneys aren't making the millions that are stated and the problems that some attribute to attorneys on behalf of the healthcare system might be rest with the insurance companies, but that's another subject. The problem I have is the somewhat cavalier attitude displayed about forgetting to attend court on a subpoena as if it it irrelevant. Nursing is not the only profession that deals with human lives and one's duty to the court should be upheld. I'll try to remember the animosity displayed toward attorneys the next time someone requests legal advice on the board or discloses their problems.....

Thats a whole other thread, whos to blame Healthcare Corps. Insurance Co. or shysters..

Ive been around a long time now and have dealt with them several times.

I even had one soak me for 13000 dollars then bail on me, over a civil matter. But for once I had the last laugh there, The state bar took care of him when I filed a complaint. He lost his license, I think he ended up getting one in Missouri. Serves him right.

missmercy · Apr 30, 2004

WOW! Who'd-a-thunk things would get so heated over some harmless comments or "dark humor":rolleyes: . Of course, not all lawyers are awful: believe it or not, allmen are not pigs, not all blondes are "dumb", not all mechanics are cheaters, not all nurses are perfect(Gasp!!)....etc. But lets grab a dose of perspective here -- lighten up a little bit... if every person who had jokes or generaizations made about them got this yanked -- our EDs would be EVEN busier!! Life is too short to let someone's off hand comments or light-hearted bantering about a difficult situation freak you out!! Sometimes the jokes are the BEST coping mechanizm we have!! It sure didn't appear to be a personal attack or even a petition to dismantal our countries legal system -- just some frustrated folks venting a little -- with a dash of satirical humor... NO BIGGIE!!!!

By the way: I wear a lab coat to work ---- should I get mad at whoever the nurse was who has the quote "real nurses don't wear lab coats" NO WAY!!! It's harmless humor -- and I can understand (big time) why it's there -- 'cause there are alot of "skirt nurses" who consider their lab coats as armour against actually working the floor.... sad but true -- so laugh about it and be proud that YOU are not one of the loser lawers, or dead-beat dads, or imperfect nurses... :coollook:

Ok, stepping off the soap box now....

Gldngrl · Apr 30, 2004

But calling me to testify about a Blood alcohol from a lil over 2 yrs ago is ridiculous.
/QUOTE]
And I understand your point...unfortunately, if there's a backlog of cases and continuances, etc. the cases can take a long time and that's usually the case in many towns and cities. Believe it or not, prosecutors don't like this either as it's in the best interests of all to expedite matters. It doesn't negate one's duty to testify, regardless of one's feelings about the matter. I will take your other statements as samples of your witty humour on display...

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2004

Uh oh!

Hope everything works out ok!

RNin92 · May 1, 2004

But calling me to testify about a Blood alcohol from a lil over 2 yrs ago is ridiculous.
/QUOTE]
And I understand your point...unfortunately, if there's a backlog of cases and continuances, etc. the cases can take a long time and that's usually the case in many towns and cities. Believe it or not, prosecutors don't like this either as it's in the best interests of all to expedite matters. It doesn't negate one's duty to testify, regardless of one's feelings about the matter. I will take your other statements as samples of your witty humour on display...
Gldngrl...I don't think Tom, or anyone else, was suggesting, promoting, condoning, requesting or even hinting at shirking one's legal obligations.
Relax...it's humor.
The last person who needs a lecture on duty is the ER nurse who has had to care for the 4 y/o rape victim, the 30 y/o pregnant trauma victim of a drunk driver or the 80 y/o who was beaten and raped. Ok. We understand.
This forum is nothing more that venting.
If my family of many (MANY) lawyers is any kind of sample of "legal-humor" we are nothing special here...ok...chill.

warrior woman · May 1, 2004

I fought the law and the law won..... I fought the law and the LAW WON.

jaimealmostRN · May 2, 2004

I'll try to remember the animosity displayed toward attorneys the next time someone requests legal advice on the board or discloses their problems.....

IMO, this "I'll get you back one day (and your little dog too)" attitude just MAY be a reason that most people don't love lawyers...I have yet to meet one (and I do have "them" as friends) that will let an argument or grudge go. And last time I checked...this was ALLNURSES.com. Now you don't have your occupation listed, maybe you are a nurse attorney, but still I think the OP knows his responsibilities, he is an adult, no need to scold him.

Gldngrl · May 3, 2004

Gldngrl...I don't think Tom, or anyone else, was suggesting, promoting, condoning, requesting or even hinting at shirking one's legal obligations.
Relax...it's humor.
The last person who needs a lecture on duty is the ER nurse who has had to care for the 4 y/o rape victim, the 30 y/o pregnant trauma victim of a drunk driver or the 80 y/o who was beaten and raped. Ok. We understand.
This forum is nothing more that venting.
If my family of many (MANY) lawyers is any kind of sample of "legal-humor" we are nothing special here...ok...chill.

Since this forum is "venting" as you state, then kindly allow me to vent as well and refrain from telling me to "relax" or "chill". My posts in no way ventured upon hysteria, it was merely a serious reminder to the original poster who stated he forgot to attend court and he stated that this was not the first time...

Gldngrl · May 3, 2004

IMO, this "I'll get you back one day (and your little dog too)" attitude just MAY be a reason that most people don't love lawyers...I have yet to meet one (and I do have "them" as friends) that will let an argument or grudge go. And last time I checked...this was ALLNURSES.com. Now you don't have your occupation listed, maybe you are a nurse attorney, but still I think the OP knows his responsibilities, he is an adult, no need to scold him.

My posting was in no way a threat, it is a reminder to those that say "I hate lawyers...except mine (or when I need one)." OP knows his responsibilities, he simply failed to comply with the court's request and his use of humour does not amuse all. Now, contrary to another stereotype, this member has decided that this debate is no longer productive and so will no longer be argumentative :rotfl:

RNin92 · May 3, 2004

Since this forum is "venting" as you state, then kindly allow me to vent as well and refrain from telling me to "relax" or "chill". My posts in no way ventured upon hysteria, it was merely a serious reminder to the original poster who stated he forgot to attend court and he stated that this was not the first time...

You are absolutely right Gldngrl...your posts in "no way ventured upon hysteria"...

Finger pointing...holier-than-thou lecturing...and all around flaming...

but definetley NOT hysteria.

I stand corrected.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · May 3, 2004

Yes its not my first time to forget

But I have worked nights in the ER for so many years

Picture all the sunpoenas Ive recieved

wish I had a dollar for every one of them

I have a bulletin board at home where I keep

all these supoenas at

But when I go, I sit around the courthouse all day

to testify for someone I dont remember

most court thingees are 2 and 3 years after the event

As if Im supposed to remember some drunken bubba or

bimbo after all that time, RIGHT

and I dont get paid for this either

I have to rearrange my schedule

I have to give up my golf time

I have to give up time with my family

To testify on something I can not recall

That isnt right either

worst thing is Im on a first name basis with all the deputy servers and investigators.